Alarming increase: Over 13,000 cases of Lyme disease in Hesse!

Alarming increase: Over 13,000 cases of Lyme disease in Hesse!

The danger lurks in the countryside: due to the mild winters, ticks are particularly active this year and are continuing to spread in Germany. This is impressively reflected in the alarming figures from the Hesse Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, which has already diagnosed over 13,000 cases of Lyme disease in the first six months of 2025. In comparison, only around 3,500 cases had been recorded by the same time last year. The increase of 37 percent compared to the previous year is also clearly noticeable in Bavaria, where around 4,800 cases of Lyme disease were registered by the beginning of October. fr.de reports.

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common tick-borne disease in Germany. Ticks, which thrive in the warmth and humidity of forests and on forest edges, cannot infect people directly; transmission occurs solely through the insects themselves. Another problem is that, in contrast to tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), there is currently no vaccine against Lyme borreliosis. While there is an effective vaccination for TBE, experts recommend checking thoroughly for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Ticks and their risk of transmission

Ticks belong to the arachnid class and are dreaded ectoparasites that suck blood from vertebrates, including humans. There are around 900 species of ticks worldwide, some of which act as vectors of dangerous zoonoses. In Germany, the shield tick (Ixodes) and leather ticks are particularly a threat. It is essential to know that ticks sense their hosts through special chemoreceptors and the tick sucking act is called a bite - not until.

TBE itself is a viral infection that is transmitted through a tick bite and can affect both the brain and the meninges. The symptoms often start like the flu with fever and headache, which can be followed by serious inflammation. Between 300 and 600 people in Germany develop TBE every year, and the risk of such a disease is particularly high in risk areas such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Pharmacies Umschau informed.

Take precautions

To protect yourself, it is recommended to wear long, light-colored clothing and use tick repellent, especially in risk areas. If a tick bites you, it is important to remove it as quickly and thoroughly as possible using tweezers or special tools. Disinfecting the puncture site is also advisable.

Climate change plays a significant role in the increase in the tick population. Milder winters along with warmer spring temperatures create optimal conditions for these parasites to spread. Researchers have observed that extreme summer heat, on the other hand, is unfavorable for ticks. Future research is needed to better understand the exact effects of climate change on ticks and the occurrence of Lyme disease and TBE. PMC reports.

In summary, it is important for all those who enjoy being out in nature to be aware of these dangers and take appropriate precautions. Protecting yourself from ticks is not only a personal responsibility, but also an important measure to maintain community health.